#100 Extra - Crunch Time for this Great Regeneration Story
Heading out to where the donkeys do their work, with Chris Henggeler
The day after our extended conversation in the gorge, featured in the main episode, we headed out to where the donkeys do their work. As mentioned in that main episode, it’s crunch time in many ways for this great story of regeneration. And by extension, for all of us, as a shoot order hangs over the donkeys’ heads. So we head out to take a closer look for ourselves at how the Henggelers are managing these wild donkeys for regeneration.
Chris Henggler & Anthony James, on the upper ranges at Kachana Station, where the cattle don’t go, and the donkeys do their work (pic: Olivia Cheng).
“We can work with Australia’s new megafauna, the animals that we brought in for pastoral purposes, for riding, for freight. Camels, donkeys, all the domesticated animals that are in Australia could actually help us to go out there and start re-hydrating our landscapes.”
It’s a fascinating deep dive into how this works, with some moving exchanges on the sentience of these creatures, and the possibilities available to us if we can find a way to work differently with them. And with each other. Let’s jump in the beat up old ute, and head over to the upper ranges for a walk.
Dedicated to Ava, Chris and Jacqueline’s third grandchild who was born on the morning of this conversation.
This episode was recorded at Kachana Station in the East Kimberley, in the far north east of Western Australia, throughout the week of 13 September 2021.
Get more:
You can hear more of Chris and I in conversation, from the days prior to this journey to the donkeys, in the main episode: ‘Wanted Land Doctors: Re-hydrating landscapes, reversing desertification & rebuilding wealth’.
You’ll find an extensive selection of photos there too. And a series of links in the show notes, including to part 2 of this centennial episode, from our last day on this visit, ‘The Value of Life: A personal reflection on regeneration, viability, wealth & change’.
Music:
The soundscapes of Kachana Station.